Some Lessons

[stesch_jahic]

 "I thought it was for your sake that I came alone, so obviously alone, so vulnerable, that I could in myself post no threat, change no balance: not an invasion, but a mere messenger-boy. But there's more to it than that.  Alone I cannot change your world.  But I can be changed by it. Alone, I must listen, as well as speak."

-Ursula LeGuin, The Left

Comments

[shandra_lorne]

I had actually noticed that "peripheral" position you had taken, just from reading your posts. I hope you realize that we who will probably never have the opportunity to go to a place where the culture is very far different have been watching you intently to see what we can glean second-hand. And if you are thinking *this* deeply about your experiences [nods at post], then you have done a good job as emissary.

Or, it's always possible, that as you said, it's simply 3am and your brains are clattering around in your head a bit. [giggles nervously]

[stesch_jahic]

Well, I have tried to be who I am, which probably doesn't help me as much here as it might. I realize more and more how I have, by insisting on being myself, done few favors to my ability to be hired again in the future here (I like to dress very casually when not in class, as well as instituting ultra-causal Saturday when they make me teach on weekends for festivals). Also, though I have learned a little about keeping my mouth shut, I still say some less than politic things. And in any case, I've not cared much for fitting in to their expectations (or many other peoples)

Who know's if my brains are clattering? They might. They're probably rattling now as I'm short on sleep. Some times I think more than others.

One thing I will say about the far different culture, it's not as different as we imagine. The whole world is trying to westernize anyways. Just little thing stick out, or I get reminded of how that transition is not working, or is still in the process. Really, I just want to come home.